The wisdom of (God's) having created Hell in the world hereafter and the prison of (tribulation in) the present world to the end that they may be places of worship for the arrogant (evil-doers): “Come ye willingly or unwillingly.”

که لیمان در جفا صافی شوند ** چون وفا بینند خود جافی شوند

For in (suffering) cruelty the vile are purified; when they receive kindness, they themselves become cruel.

مسجد طاعاتشان پس دوزخست ** پای‌بند مرغ بیگانه فخست

Therefore Hell is the mosque where they perform their devotions: a trap is the (only) fetter for a wild bird.

هست زندان صومعه‌ی دزد و لیم ** کاندرو ذاکر شود حق را مقیم2985

Prison is the cloister of the thief and villain, that there he may be constantly mindful of God.

چون عبادت بود مقصود از بشر ** شد عبادتگاه گردن‌کش سقر

Inasmuch as Divine worship was the object (in the creation) of mankind, Hellfire was made the place of worship for the rebellious.

آدمی را هست در هر کار دست ** لیک ازو مقصود این خدمت بدست

Man hath the power (of action) in everything, but this service (of God) has (ever) been the (final) object of him.

ما خلقت الجن و الانس این بخوان ** جز عبادت نیست مقصود از جهان

“I did not create the Jinn and mankind (save that they might serve Me).” Recite this (text). The (final) object of the world is naught but Divine worship.

گرچه مقصود از کتاب آن فن بود ** گر توش بالش کنی هم می‌شود

Though the (final) object of a book is the science (which it contains), (yet) if you make it a pillow (to rest on), it will become (serve as) that too;

لیک ازو مقصود این بالش نبود ** علم بود و دانش و ارشاد سود2990

But this (function of being a) pillow was not its (final) object: it (the final object) was learning and knowledge and right guidance and profit.

گر تو میخی ساختی شمشیر را ** برگزیدی بر ظفر ادبار را

If you have made the sword a tent-pin, you have preferred defeat to victory.

گرچه مقصود از بشر علم و هدیست ** لیک هر یک آدمی را معبدیست

Although the (final) object of Man is knowledge (of God) and to be rightly directed (in religion), (yet) every man hath a particular place of worship.

معبد مرد کریم اکرمته ** معبد مرد لیم اسقمته

The place where (the means whereby) the noble man worships is your treating him with kindness; the place where (the means whereby) the vile man worships is your making him sick (your maltreating him).

مر لیمان را بزن تا سر نهند ** مر کریمان را بده تا بر دهند

Smite the vile, that they may bow their heads; give to the noble, that they may yield (good) fruit.

لاجرم حق هر دو مسجد آفرید ** دوزخ آنها را و اینها را مزید2995

Necessarily God hath created a mosque for each of the twain —Hell for those, and increase (of bounty) for these.

ساخت موسی قدس در باب صغیر ** تا فرود آرند سر قوم زحیر

Moses built the Báb-i Saghír (the Small Gate) at Jerusalem, in order that the people tormented (by evil passions) might lower their heads,

زآنک جباران بدند و سرفراز ** دوزخ آن باب صغیرست و نیاز

Because they were insolent and arrogant. Hell is (like) that Báb-i Saghír and (place of) humiliation.

Explaining how God most High has made the bodily form of kings a means of subduing the insolent (sinners) who are not subject to God, just as Moses, on whom be peace, built the Báb-i Saghír in the wall of Jerusalem in order that the insolent (and wicked) men among the Israelites might bow low when they entered in, (according to the text), “Enter the gate, prostrating yourselves, and say ‘hittatun.’”

آنچنانک حق ز گوشت و استخوان ** از شهان باب صغیری ساخت هان

Likewise God hath built a Báb-i Saghír from the flesh and bones of kings. Take heed!

اهل دنیا سجده‌ی ایشان کنند ** چونک سجده‌ی کبریا را دشمنند

The people of this world make prostration before them, since they are opposed to prostration before the Divine Majesty.

ساخت سرگین‌دانکی محرابشان ** نام آن محراب میر و پهلوان3000

He (God) hath made a little dunghill their mihráb (place of worship): the name of that mihráb is “prince” and “paladin.”

لایق این حضرت پاکی نه‌اید ** نیشکر پاکان شما خالی‌نیید

Ye (worldlings) are not fit for this holy Presence: holy men are (like) the sugarcane; ye are (like) the empty reed.

آن سگان را این خسان خاضع شوند ** شیر را عارست کو را بگروند

These vile wretches grovel before those curs; (but) it is a disgrace to the lion that they should be complaisant to him.

گربه باشد شحنه هر موش‌خو ** موش که بود تا ز شیران ترسد او

The cat is the (dreaded) overseer of every mouse-natured one: who is the mouse that it should be afraid of the lions?